Sign



April 12, 1932. Q A WRIGHT 1,854,145

SIGN

Filed Nov. is, i928 Patented Apr. 12, 1.932

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WEIGHT, 0F REVER'EON NEW JERSEY, SSGLOR TG EGKS, EFG.,

.L GOEPQETEGH @E .ir-5.1.4?! QE'EBSEY .pplieaten le; ovemher G, Serial 'e. 732,523.

This invention reiates to improvements in signs, and .more particularly to that class of signs employing vitrilied enamel.

nEhe principal object of the invention is to provide a sign of this character which shall be more sightly and have greater strength and durability than such signs made 1n accordance with the prior practice.

More specifically, the invention' contemplates the provision of a novel and lmproved form of metal frame adapted for reception o the enameled sign element by means of which the requirement for bolts or rive-ts passed through the enameled sign plate is eliminated.

The invention further resides in certain novel and improved structural details and features including novel means for assembling the sign, as hereinafter set forth and illustrated in the attached drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a sign made in accordance with my invention;

Fi 2 is a face View of the enameled and vitrifgled sign disk forming an element of the preferred embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of one of the clamping elements;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line 4 4, Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a face view of a modified form of sign m-ade in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of one of the clamping elements forming a part of the-embodiment shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a section on the line 77, Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a view illustrating a preferred form of device for assembling the sign structure;

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of the clamping element;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective of an end of the rim of Fig. 5, adapted to the use of additional locking means, while Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view' partly in plan, partly in section 'the rim of Fig. 1G as empioyed with additienal iecking means.

With reference to the drawings, it will be noted that l provide a split annular rim member 1 of channel cross section, the channel 2 extending continuously around the inner periphery of the rim and being adapted to receive a sign plate 3 preferably of metal appropriately decorated or marked with the desired subject of display. As shown in Fig. 4, the channel 2 and the plate 3 are so relatively proportioned that the peripheral edge of the latter fits snugly into the channel whereby the plate is firmly held in position and the peripheral edge of the plate 3 completely embraced and hidden by the sides of the channel. Where the sign plate 3 is faced with a vitrified enamel, the edges are irregular and unsightly, by reason of an inability to carry the enamel evenly to the extreme edge of the plate, and the channeled rim, as described above and as illustrated in Fig. 1, completely embraces and hides the uneven edge of the plate 3.

It will be noted by reference to Fig. 4 that the rim member 1 is extended transversely at opposite sides of the base of the channel 2, the resulting flanges 4, 4 protecting the face of the plate 3 in the event that the sign falls upon or against a hard surface, such as the pavement, upon which the sign may be placed.

In conjunction with the foregoing elements, the sign comprises a clamp consisting of jaws 5, 5 formed as illustrated in Fig. 3, these clamping jaws being adapted to embrace the opposite edges of the rim at the divided section, and when secured together by means of the bolts 6, as illustrated in Fig. 4, to secure ly bind the edges of the rim together. In addition to the curved recesses 7 in the interior faces of these clamping elements 5 adapted for reception of the flanges 4 of the rim, the clamping elements are so formed, in the present instance, as to provide a socket 8 for reception of the upper end of a suitable standard 9 by means of which the sign may be supported in a desired position. The bolts 6 function not only to bind the clamps upon the rim 1, but also upon the standard 9 whereby a rigid structure including the rim, the sign plate and the standard 9, is obtained. In assembling the sign, it is desirable to contract the rim 1 upon the periphery of the plate 3, and for this purpose, I provide the assembling device illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9. This consists of a exible band 10 which passes aroundthe major portion of the periphery of the rim 1 and is provided at its extremities with lugs 11 affording abutments for the jaws of a suitable adjustable clamp or vise 12 by means of which the ends of the band 10 may be drawn together to contract the rim upon the sign plate. The clamp 12 may comprise the iixed jaw 13 in which is rotatably held a screw 14 and amovable jaw 15 threaded on the screw 14 and slidable on the base 16. By turning the screw 14, the jaw 15 may be advanced toward the fixed jaw 13, with the result that the rim is contracted as described above. Following contraction of the rim 1 to the desired extent, the bolts 6 of the clamps 5, 5 are tightened to hold the rim in the contracted condition.

The sign structure as described above is subject to considerable modification without de'- parture from tlie invention. In Figs. 5, 6 and 7, I have illustrated a sign constructed on the same principle as that described above, but which is adapted for suspension instead of for support upon a standard 21. This sign includes the rim 1a of channel formation and preferably made as described above, which is adapted to embrace'the sign plate 3a. In this instance, I employ a pair .of clamps 17, 17, each consisting of a pair of oppositely formed elements 18. These elements are adapted to embrace the opposite edges of the rim 1a, and for this purpose are provided on-their inner faces with grooves 19l adapted to receive the flanges 4a of the rim. As shown in Fig. 7, in addition to the grooves 19, each of the elements 18 is provided in its upper end with a recess 20 shaped to receive a headed member 22, threaded into and supported from a central lug 23 of a yoke member 24. Each member 24 terminates in forked arms 25 having eyes 26 for the reception of a rod 27. Carried between the rod27 and the eyes 26 may be a suitable self-lubricating sleeve 28 forming a journal for the eye portion, and comprised of wood impregnated with oil, bronze or the like. The rods 27 each have mounted thereon a two part gripping lmember 29 which grips about the standard 21 and its adapted to be tightened thereon by a bolt 30 and a nut, thus providing means from which the sign plate 3a may be suspended. Bolts 6a are provided which as shown in Fig. 7 not only bind the clamping elements 18, 18 against the opposite sides of the rim la, but also upon the headed member 22 in such manner that it is firmly anchored in the clamp and the clamp tightly bound upon the rim la of the sign. In this instance, the split section of the rim 1a is located at one of the clamps 17.

In the deviceaccording to Figs. 10 and 11, it is contemplated that the locking elements 5, or 18 be provided -adjacent the extremities of their respective channels 7 or 19 with upstruck knob portions or lugs 20. Corresponding pairs of these lugs in cooperating mem- Abers 5 or 18 are adapted to fit into and engage with recesses 21 provided on the opposite edges of the rims 1 and 1a, adjacent the extremities thereof. It is thus seen that the lugs 20 will securely hold the rim in position about the sign, it being possible to release the rim only by displacement of the locking members, disengaging the lugs and the recesses.l

The sign described above constitutes a material improvement over signs of like character as made in accordance with the prior practice. The requirement of the prior practices for bolts passing through the sign plate itself is entirely eliminated and the unsightly edges of the enamel sign are completely hidden. The channeled rim member 1 being a rolled section may beeasily vand cheaply manufactured and is practically indestructible. Also the rim formed as described affords a maximum protection for the sign plate. The parts of the sign structure are easily assembled in the manner set forth.

I claim:

1. A framed sign comprising a rim having separable ends and containing a seat for a sign plate, a sign plate having its edge seated in said seat, and clamping means engaging the separable ends of said rim and securing said rim on said plate and comprising independent j'aws freely movable relative to one another into gripping and releasing positions without permanent deformation thereof.

2. A framed sign comprising a rim having separable ends and containing a seat for a sign plate, a sign plate having its edge seated in said seat, and clamping means engaging the separable ends of said rim and securing said rim on said plate and comprising independent jaws freely movable relative to one another into gripping and releasing positions without permanent deformation thereof, said clamping means also including devices for positively drawing said jaws together.

3. A framed signed as defined in claim l, in which the jaw members and the clamped end section are provided with interlocking means comprising lugs and sockets receiving said lugs and holding said end sections against separation.

4. A framed sign as defined in claim 1, in which each clamped end section of the rim has transversely disposed faces, and the jaws each have channeled faces embracing the of channeled formation, asign having its pefaces of the end sections and preventing. oscillation of the rim.

5. A framed sign comprising a rim having separable ends and containing a seat for a sign plate, a sign plate having its edge seated in said seat, clamping means engaging the separable ends of said rim and securing said rim on said plate and comprising independent jaws freely movable relative to one another into gripping and releasing positions without permanent deformation thereof, and a bolt passing through a portion of said clamping means outwardly from the rim for drawing said jaws against said rim.

6. A framed sign comprising a rim having on its inner face a pair 'of beads forming a channel providing a seatfor a sign plate, said rim having fianges extending laterally from said beads, a sign plate engaged in said seat, and a clamp comprising jaws each partially surrounding one of said anges.

7. In a sign, the combination with a split annular interiorly channeled rim, of a sign plate embraced by said rim and having its peripheral portion seated in said channel, a support element, .a clamp having separable parts engaging opposite sides of the said rim, said elements having therein recesses forming a socket for reception of said support element, and means for drawing said clamping elements together upon the rim and said'supporting element.

8. In a sign comprising a split annular rim ripheral portion seated in said rim channel, and supportingmeans therefor, a sectional clamp engaging the opposite side edges of the rim at opposite sides of the' divided portion thereof and securing the rim around the plate, each section of said clamp having upj struck lugs on its interior face adjacent each` extremity thereof, said rim edges being provided with cooperating recesses for engaging with said lugs, to positively lock the rim in position. j 9. A sign comprising a rim having internally directed ribs providing a channel, said rim being adapted to receive in the channel thereof the periphery of a sign plate and embodying opposed end prtions, a; clamp irl- -cluding sections engaging opposite sides-of the rim end portions at the junction thereof, said clamp comprising opposed sections each having a groove receiving the rim outwardly ofthe flanges thereof, adjacent end portions of the rim having in the edges thereof notches, lugs upon at least one of the clamp sections for engaging in the notches of the rim and a securing element directed through the clamp sections for maintaining the lugs in engagement with said notches.

10. In a sign, a sign panel, a split rim therefor having a channel inits inner face and rigid projecting flanges at its side edges, and means clamping said side edges to hold sections of the rim in assembled relation,

said means concealing the junction of the rim ends and being free from portions engaging the panel.

1.1. In a sign, a sign panel, a preformed transversely rigid rim having an internal channel receiving the periphery of the panel, said rim being split, and clamp-ing means for maintaining the sections thereof .in assembled relation free' from portions engaging said panel, said clamping means concealing the split of the rim.

j CHARLES A. WRIGHT.

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